Method of knitting knit-wear having front neck and knit-wear having front neck

ABSTRACT

The knitted loops of one neckline of a right breast or left breast knitted dividing a breast are transferred to a needle bed where a back is retained, and a front collar knitting portion is knitted on the other neckline. The front collar knitting portion is cast off from the knitting loops at the center portion edge of the torso to a position where knitted loops of at least one neckline do not overlap with at least the knitted loops of the one neckline. The knitted loops of the front collar knitting portion are transferred to a needle bed wherein the knitted loops of the back are retained, the knitted loops of the one neckline are returned to the original needle bed, and a front collar knitting portion is knit on the one neckline. A predetermined number of stitches are cast off from the knitted loops of the center portion edge of the breast of the front collar knitting portion. The armhole side edge portions of the left and right front collar knitting portions are made to face the edges of the back, the knitted loops of the front collar knitting portion and the back are continuously knit so as to knit the back collar knitting portion to the back, following which all knitted loops are cast off.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a knitting method for knitwear having a front collar, and knitwear having a front collar. In particular, the present invention relates to knitwear having a front collar with a heretofore unknown shape, and a knitting method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, in the case of forming knitwear having a front collar which is folded back in a pronouncedly wide manner against the breast, such as an Italian collar, which opens opened wide outwards, the front collar is formed separately from the torso, and the front collar portion is assembled to the neckline of the torso portion by sewing.

Particularly, with front collars which are so large that the tips of the right and left front collars overlap when raised, consecutively knitting the large right and left front collars and the back collar to the torso using a flat knitting frame is extremely difficult, so generally assembly to the torso is carried out by knitting.

This necessitates a step of sewing following knitting, which increases the number of steps necessitated to complete the knitwear.

Also, there has never been knitwear with a heretofore unknown shape, such as a design wherein a part of the front collar is used to form the shoulder portion of the breast, forming a shoulder line of the front collar which is then folded back, which does not require the extra process of assembling the formed collar and front collar assembly to the neckline of the article regarding which knitting on the knitting machine has been completed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in light of the above-described present state, and accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a knitting method whereby knitwear having a large front collar can be knit without sewing, and to provide seamless knitwear which is highly fashionable and which has a front collar shape which is heretofore unknown.

In order to enable knitting of knitwear having large front collars without performing sewing, the present invention is a knitting method for knitwear, using a flat knitting frame having at least a pair of front and back needle beds extending to the left and right direction and facing each other in the front and back direction, with at least one of the front and back needle beds being capable of sideways racking, and capable of loop transfer of knitted loops between the front and back needle beds, wherein a front collar is formed in which the left front collar and right front collar are formed on the neckline of the breast, with a form such that each of these front collars pass the center of the breast and intrude to the side of the other front collar, the method including the following steps for knitting after starting formation of the neckline:

-   -   1) a first step for knitting, dividing the breast into a right         breast and left breast from the front neckline formation         portion, and forming the front neckline portions of the right         breast and left breast by turning course;     -   2) a second step wherein knitted loops of either the left or         right front neckline bordering at the center of the breast are         moved to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting of the         front collar portions being formed at the other front neckline,         following which at the other neckline a predetermined course is         knit such that the front collar knitting portion is formed so as         to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast to         intrude to the front collar portion of the other side         respectively, and knitted loops positioned at a region of         knitting needles to be used for knitting the one front collar         knitting portion are cast off; and     -   3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops         that have been transferred to empty needles which do not         obstruct the knitting to the original needles in the second         step, the remaining one front collar knitting portion is formed         so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the         breast from the neckline to intrude to the front collar portion         of the other side.

According to the present invention as described above, at the time of knitting one front collar knitting portion, the other front collar knitting portion is moved to needles which do not interfere with knitting of the one front collar knitting portion, the one front collar knitting portion is knit, and knitted loops positioned within the range of knitting needles used for knitting the other front collar knitting portion at the last course of the knitted front collar knitting portion are cast off, whereby the other front collar knitting portion can be knit without interruption, so there is no need for a process for assembling the collar to the neckline of the torso by sewing, and the knitwear can be completed by knitting alone, so the number of processes until completion of the knitwear is not great, and reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.

Also, the present invention is an invention of a knitting method, enabling knitting knitwear having a large front collar of a heretofore unknown design to be knitted without sewing, and in the knitting method for knitwear having a front collar according to claim 1, the breast and back making up the knitwear are knit in a seamless continuous cylindrical form, the method including the following steps:

-   -   1) a first step for knitting, dividing the breast into a right         breast and left breast from the front neckline formation         portion, and forming the front neckline portion of the front         right breast and the front neckline portion of the front left         breast to the edge of the shoulder neckline, and also knitting         the back;     -   2) a second step for moving knitted loops of one or the other of         the front neckline of the right breast and left breast knit in         the first step to empty needles which do not obstruct the         knitting of the front collar knitting portion to be formed on         the other neckline, knitting a front color knitting portion on         the other neckline so as to form a front collar of a form         passing the center of the breast and intruding to the other         front color side respectively, moving the front collar knitting         portion to the front collar knitting portion on the other side         each time a predetermined course is knit of the front collar         knitting portion, and repeating knitting for forming new knitted         loops on empty needles on the neckline side by this moving so as         to form a shoulder line portion to the armhole, and following         completion of formation of the shoulder line portion to the         front collar knitting portion, casting off the knitted loops         within the region of the knitting needles used for knitting at         least the remaining other front collar knitting portion at the         front collar knitting portion;     -   3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops         that have been transferred to empty needles which do not         obstruct the knitting in the second step to the original         needles, the other one front collar knitting portion is formed         so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the         breast from the remaining front neckline to intrude to the front         collar portion of the other side, moving the front collar         knitting portion to the front collar knitting portion on the         other side each time a predetermined course is knit of the front         collar knitting portion, and repeating knitting for forming new         knitted loops on empty needles on the neckline side by this         moving so as to form a shoulder line portion to the armhole, and         following completion of formation of the shoulder line portion         to the front collar knitting portion, casting off knitted loops         of an equal number to those cast off in the second step from the         breast center side;     -   4) a fourth step for turning course such that the number of         knitting courses becomes smaller each wale the closer to each         edge of the back, thereby forming a shoulder line portion on the         back, following which the shoulder line portions of the left and         right front collar knitting portions are assembled to the         shoulder line portion of the back;     -   5) a fifth step for feeding yarn to the back and the front         collar knitting portion not cast off, thereby knitting a collar         wherein the left and right front collar knitting portions and         the back color knitting portion are continuous; and     -   6) a sixth step for casting off the knitted loops of the left         and right front collar knitting portions and the back collar         knitting portion retained by the needle beds.

According to the present invention as described above, knit wear having a new design of a large front collar opening wide, which is highly fashionable, can be knit while forming a shoulder portion of the torso with a part of the front collar knitting portion so as to have a shoulder line portion, even with a case of seamlessly cylindrically knitting the breast and torso.

Moreover, at the time of knitting one front collar knitting portion, the other front collar knitting portion is moved to needles which do not interfere with knitting of the one front collar knitting portion, the one front collar knitting portion is knit, and knitting loops positioned in the region of knitting needles used for knitting the other front collar knitting portion at the last course of this knitted front collar knitting portion are cast off, whereby the other front collar knitting portion can be knit without interruption.

Consequently, there is no need for a process for assembling the collar to the neckline of the torso by sewing, and the collar can be seamlessly assembled to the torso even in the case of designs of large folded open front collars and a back collar continuing therefrom, so the number of processes until completion of the knitwear is not great, and reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.

Also, the present invention is an invention of a knitting method for knitting knitwear having a large front collar and back collar without sewing, with knitwear of which the breast and back is seamlessly cylindrically knit, and in the knitting method for knitwear having a front collar according to claim 1, the breast and back making up the knitwear are knit in a seamless continuous cylindrical form, the method including the following steps:

-   -   1) a first step for knitting, dividing the breast into a right         breast and left breast from the front neckline formation         portion, and forming the front neckline portions of the right         breast and left breast by turning course, and forming shoulder         line portions on the left and right breasts and the back by         turning course, and assembling the shoulder line portions of the         breast and back;     -   2) a second step for moving knitted loops of one or the other of         the neckline of the right breast and left breast knit in the         first step to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting         of the front collar knitting portion to the other neckline,         following which the front collar portion is knit a predetermined         course to the other neckline so as to form a front collar which         passes the center of the breast to intrude to the front collar         portion of the other side, and knitted loops positioned at a         region of knitting needles to be used for knitting at least the         remaining the one front collar knitting portion in the front         collar knitting portion is cast off;     -   3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops         that have been transferred to empty needles which do not         obstruct the knitting in the second step to the original         needles, and knitting a predetermined course for the other one         front collar knitting portion so as to form a front collar which         passes the center of the breast from the remaining front         neckline to intrude to the front collar portion of the other         side, following which knitted loops of an equal number to those         cast off in the second step are cast off from the breast center         side;     -   4) a fourth step for subjecting the back and the front collar         knitting portion not cast off to C-knitting wherein the yarn         feeding direction is reversed at both edges thereof so as to         knit a collar wherein the left and right front color knitting         portions and the back collar knitting portion are continuous;         and     -   5) a fifth step for casting off the knitted loops of the left         and right front collar knitting portions and the back collar         knitting portion retained by the needle beds.

According to the present invention as described above, in a case wherein the breast and back are seamlessly cylindrically knit and at the time of knitting one front collar knitting portion, the other front collar knitting portion is moved to needles which do not interfere with knitting of the one front collar knitting portion, the one front collar knitting portion is knit, and knitting loops positioned in the region of knitting needles used for knitting the other front collar knitting portion at the last course of this knitted front collar knitting portion are cast off, whereby the other front collar knitting portion can be knit without interruption. Consequently, there is no need for a process for assembling the collar to the neckline of the torso by sewing, and the collar can be seamlessly assembled to the torso and the knitwear can be completed by knitting alone, so the number of processes until completion of the knitwear is not great, and reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.

Also, the present invention is an invention of knitwear having a front collar heretofore unknown, wherein the breast and back are seamlessly cylindrically knit, and wherein the breast is configured of a breast knitting portion having a front neckline and a part of a front collar knitting portion assembled to the front neckline, and wherein the front collar knitting portion has a shoulder line portion where a breast shoulder portion and back are assembled and a front collar portion opened by folding back, and wherein a back collar knitting portion formed to the back neckline of the back and the front collar knitting portion are knitted continuously, with the front collar knitting portion and back collar knitting portion being seamlessly assembled to the torso.

According to the present invention as described above, knitwear with a heretofore unknown new design having large folded open front collars, and which is highly fashionable, can be provided with the shoulder portion of the breast being formed of a portion of the front collar knitting portion so as to have a shoulder line portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal view from the breast side of a sweater having a front collar, which is a first embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view from the back side of a sweater having a front collar, which is the first embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a knitting process diagram illustrating the knitting procedures for knitting the knitwear according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view from the breast side of a sweater having a front collar, which is a second embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view from the back side of a sweater having a front collar, which is the second embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a frontal view from the breast side of a sweater having a front collar, which is a third embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a rear view from the back side of a sweater having a front collar, which is the third embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a knitting process diagram illustrating the knitting procedures for knitting the knitwear according to the third embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following is a describing of embodiments of the knitwear having a front collar and the knitting method thereof, according to the present invention.

With the present embodiment, knitwear is knitted using a flat knitting frame having at least a pair of front and back needle beds extending to the left and right direction and facing each other in the front and back direction, with at least one of the front and back needle beds being capable of sideways racking, and capable of loop transfer of knitted loops between the front and back needle beds, i.e., a so-called two-bed flat knitting frame.

In the event of knitting cylindrical knitwear, a two-bed flat knitting frame is arranged so as to knit using every other needle on each of the front and back knitting beds, with the odd-numbered needles of the front knitting bed being primarily used for knitting the front side portions of knitwear, such as the breast and front portion of the collar or the like, and the even-numbered needles of the back knitting bed being primarily used for knitting the back side portions of knitwear, such as the back and rear portion of the collar or the like.

Further, the front and back needle beds have as empty needles the needles in one bed facing the needles in the other bed which are used for knitting, and the empty needles are used for loop transfer and ribbing and the like.

Using these empty needles enables constitution patterns wherein the face stitches and rear stitches are combined such as links, garter, ribbing, and so forth, or moving the knitting of sleeves and the torso in the course direction so as to be assembled one to another.

Also, in the event of using a two-bed flat knitting frame, an arrangement may be made wherein a transfer jack bed wherein transfer jacks are arrayed may be provide above one of both of the front and back needle beds to knit the knitted fabric.

Also, while the present embodiment involves knitting knitwear using a two-bed flat knitting frame, the present invention may be knit using a four-bed flat knitting frame made up of an upper front needle bed, lower front needle bed, upper back needle bed, and lower back needle bed.

In the case of using a four-bed flat knitting frame, for example, the back side portion is made to belong to the lower back needle bed, the upper back needle bed is used for loop transfer and the like of the knitted fabric at the front side portion, as empty needles for knitting the front side portion knitted fabric, and the upper front needle bed is used for loop transfer and the like of the knitted fabric at the back side portion, as empty needles for knitting the back side portion knitted fabric.

The present embodiment illustrates a method for seamlessly knitting knitwear using the above-described two-bed flat knitting frame so that the torso and collar making up the knitwear are a seamlessly continuous cylindrical shape, and knitwear having a front collar knit with this knitting method.

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 1 through FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a frontal view from the breast side of a sweater 1 of knitwear having a front collar, which is a first embodiment of the knitwear according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view from the back side of the sweater 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a knitting process diagram illustrating the knitting procedures for knitting the sweater 1.

With the present embodiment, the back 2 b, the right sleeve rear portion 13 b, and left sleeve rear portion 3 b are knit using primarily the odd-numbered needles of the back needle bed, and the breast 2 a, the right sleeve front portion 13 a, and left sleeve front portion 3 a are knit using primarily the even-numbered needles of the front needle bed.

The sweater 1 knit with the present embodiment is a long-sleeve type sweater having a collar with large folded open front collars. As indicated in the knitting procedure diagram shown in FIG. 3, the sweater 1 according to the present embodiment is knit so that the height from the hem of the breast 2 a to the assembly portion with the sleeve at the shoulder (number of courses) and the height from the hem of the back 2 b to the assembly portion with the sleeve at the shoulder (number of courses) is the same.

Further, the breast 2 a of the sweater 1 is configured of a breast knitting portion 5 having a neckline 4, and a part of a front collar knitting portion 6 assembled to the neckline 4.

The breast knitting portion 5 is knit from the hem to the shoulder, so that the front neckline 41 ends at the shoulder connection portion of the armhole (the outer edge portion of the armhole at the shoulder).

The front collar knitting portion 6 is knitted having a breast shoulder portion 61, a shoulder line portion 62 to which the back 2 b is assembled, and a front collar portion 63, the front collar portion 63 forming a front collar which folds back and opens wide.

The shoulder line portion 62 of the front collar knitting portion 6 is assembled to the shoulder line portion 21 of the back 2 b, thereby forming a back collar knitting portion 7 knitted continuously from the front collar knitting portion 6 to the back 2 b.

For the sake of facilitating description, with the sweater 1, the knitting constitution of the breast knitting portion 5 of the breast 2 a, the back 2 b, and sleeves 3 and 13, will be understood to be plain knit, and the front collar knitting portion 6 and back collar knitting portion 7 ribbed, but the breast knitting portion 5, the back 2 b, and the sleeves 3 and 13 may be of a constitution pattern such as jacquard or ribbed, and the front collar knitting portion 6 and back collar knitting portion 7 may be of another constitution pattern (the same for the second embodiment and third embodiment).

With the sweater 1, the points A and a of the breast 2 a to serve as the underarm portion are assembled to the points P and p of the left sleeve front portion 3 a and right sleeve front portion 13 a, and the points H and h of the back 2 b are assembled to the points S and s of the left sleeve rear portion 3 b and right sleeve rear portion 13 b.

The breast 2 a and the left sleeve front portion 3 a and right sleeve front portion 13 a are then assembled along an armhole (sleeve line) 22, and the back 2 b and the left sleeve rear portion 3 b and right sleeve rear portion 13 b are assembled.

The breast knitting portion 5 making up the breast 2 a has a shape from the points B and b on where the front neckline 41 is formed in a different shape as compared to that of the back 2 b, and as shown in FIG. 3, is knit divided into the left breast 51 and right breast 52.

Further, knitting of the torso 2 a and 2 b, and sleeves 3 and 13 following starting of formation of the neckline 4 is carried out by knitting in the order of the left breast 51, left sleeve front portion 3 a, left sleeve rear portion 3 b, back 2 b, right sleeve rear portion 13 b, right sleeve front portion 13 a, and right breast 52, or in the reverse order, while the left sleeve front portion 3 a is assembled to the left breast 51, the left sleeve rear portion 3 b and right sleeve rear portion 13 b are assembled to the back 2 b, and the right sleeve front portion 13 a is assembled to the right breast 52 along the armhole 22.

Note that in the present embodiment, the vocabulary representing the left and right parts of the torso and the sleeves, such as the right and left sides for the right breast 52 and left breast 51 is based on the perspective of a wearer wearing the sweater 1.

Next, the knitting procedures for the sweater 1 according to the first embodiment will be described based on the knitting procedure diagram shown in FIG. 3.

The knitting procedure diagram shown in FIG. 3 illustrates the knitting procedures for sequentially knitting from the bottom toward the top in the drawing.

First, following supplying knitting yarn to each of the breast knitting needles from yarn supply openings (not shown) provided for each of torso knitting and sleeve knitting, knitting wherein the yarn supply openings are reversed to supply knitting yarn to each of the back knitting needles is repeated, thereby forming a cylindrical torso hem portion and elastic knitting portions 81 and 82 at the cuff portions.

Then, the knitting of the breast 2 a (breast knitting portion 5) and the back 2 b are knit up to short of the underarm portion (points A, P, a, p, S, H, s, and h in FIG. 2), and at the same time, the left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 are knit while widening the cylinder diameter.

The torso 2 and left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 are assembled at the underarm portion so as to form a single cylindrical article, the breast knitting portion 5 is knit divided into the left breast 51 and right breast 52 by turning course, while also knitting the back 2 b and left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13, and at the same time as knitting, the torso 2 and the left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 are assembled.

Upon the left breast 51 and right breast 52 of the breast knitting portion 5 being knitted to the position of the points C and c, and the back 2 b being knitted to the position of the line K-k, assembly of the torso 2 and the left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 is completed.

Due to the knitting so far, formation of the front neckline 41 formed by turning course at the breast knitting portion 5 is completed, the breast knitting portion 5 and the back 2 b are seamlessly cylindrically continuously knit, with assembly of the sleeves 3 and 13 to the torso 2 also being completed, the knitted loops of the front neckline 41 of the breast knitting portion 5 being retained at the front needle bed, and the knitted loops of the back 2 b being retained at the back needle bed.

Next, a left front collar knitting portion 6A is continuously knit (line D-E) on the front neckline 41 of the left breast 51 (line B-C).

At this time, the knitted loops of the neckline 41 on the right breast 52 (line b-c) are moved to empty needles so as to not obstruct the knitting of the left front collar knitting portion 6A formed on the other front neckline 41. With the present embodiment, the knitted loops of the neckline 41 on the right breast (line b-c) are transferred to empty needles of the front needle bed facing the even-numbered needles of the back needle bed retaining the knitted loops of the back.

Note that in the event of using a flat knitting frame having the holding device described in the Patent Publication of Japanese Patent No. 2,995,464, the knitted loops of the front neckline 41 on the right breast 52 (line b-c) can be held by the slider of compound needles retaining the knitted loops of the back on the back needle bed.

Following knitting one course of the left front collar knitting portion 6A on the front neckline 41 of the left breast 51 (line B-C), the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 6A are transferred to the empty needles of the back needle bed, the back needle bed is racked two pitches in the left direction in FIG. 3 and the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 6A are transferred to the front needle bed, and following knitting one course one yarn over to the right (sleeve side), the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 6A are transferred to the empty needles of the back needle bed, racked two pitches to the left, and the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 6A are transferred to the empty needles of the front needle bed, and this action is repeated until knitting the left front collar knitting portion 6A to line F-G.

The left front collar knitting portion 6A is cast off until line F-J, and the knitted loops on line F-J are removed from the needles of the needle bed from the torso center side of the left front collar knitting portion 6A. The knitting loops on the line F-J of the left front collar knitting portion 6A are cast off to a position where they do not overlap the final course of the right front collar knitting portion 6B, to prevent interference with the knitting of the right front collar knitting portion 6B to be knit next.

Next, the right front collar knitting portion 6B is continuously knit (line d-e) on the front neckline 41 of the right breast 52 (line b-c).

The knitted loops of the front neckline 41 of the right breast 52 (line b-c) are moved to the original odd-numbered needles of the front needle bed, and following knitting one course of the right front collar knitting portion 6B on the front neckline 41 of the right breast 52 (line b-c), the knitted loops of the right front collar knitting portion 6B are transferred to empty needles of the back needle bed, the back needle bed is racked two pitches to the right in FIG. 3 and the knitting loops of the right front collar knitting portion 6B are transferred to the front needle bed, and following knitting one course one yarn over to the left (sleeve side), the knitted loops of the right front collar knitting portion 6B are transferred to the empty needles of the back needle bed, racked two pitches to the right, and the knitted loops of the right front collar knitting portion 6B are transferred to the empty needles of the front needle bed, and this action is repeated until knitting the right front collar knitting portion 6B to line f-g.

The right front collar knitting portion 6B is cast off till line f-j, and the knitted loops on line f-j are removed from the needles of the needle bed from the torso center side of the right front collar knitting portion 6B. The same number of knitting loops on line f-j of the right front collar knitting portion 6B are cast off as the number of knitting loops cast off for the left front collar knitting portion 6A.

The yarn-over portions formed on the sleeve-side edges of the left front collar knitting portion 6A and the right front collar knitting portion 6B thus form shoulder line portions 62 (line E-G, line e-g).

While the left front collar knitting portion 6A and the right front collar knitting portion 6B have been described as being knit a predetermined number of courses with the same number of loops while performing yarn-over one at a time, the knitted loops may be increased at the torso middle side in order to change the shape of the front collar.

Next, the back 2 b is knit from the position of the line K-k to the position of the line L-l where formation of the shoulder line portion 21 is completed. The shoulder line portion 21 (line K-L, line k-l) is knit so that the shoulder drops off, by turning course. While knitting the back 2 b, the knitted loops of the shoulder line portion 62 of the left front collar knitting portion 6A and the right front collar knitting portion 6B retained to the front needle bed and the knitted loops of the shoulder line portion 21 of the back 2 b are joined.

Upon assembling of the shoulder line portion 62 and the shoulder line portion 21, the knitted loops of the back neckline 42 of the back 2 b (line L-l) are retained to the back needle bed, and the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 6A (line G-J) and the right front collar knitting portion 6B (line g-j) are retained to the front needle bed.

Note that assembling of the shoulder line portion 62 and the shoulder line portion 21 may be performed following completing the knitting of the back 2 b.

Next, repeating in the order of the right front collar knitting portion 6B, back collar knitting portion 7, left front collar knitting portion 6A, back collar knitting portion 7, and right front collar knitting portion 6B, a knitting method is performed called C-knitting on the three components wherein the same path is traced while moving reciprocally, changing the direction of progression of the yarn supply openings at both edges which are the boundary of each of the components.

Thus, continuous knitting is realized for the left front collar knitting portion 6A from the position of the line G-J to the point M, for the right front collar knitting portion 6B from the position of the line g-j to the point m, and for the back collar knitting portion 7 from the position of the line N-n to the position of the line Q-q.

At this time, the left front collar knitting portion 6A and right front collar knitting portion 6B are knit such that the number of knitting courses at the torso center side for each wale increases towards at least the outer edges (line J-M, line j-m).

Note that while with the present embodiment, knitting is performed so that the number of knitting courses for the back collar knitting portion 7 are the same at all portions, the back collar knitting portion 7 may be knit so that the number of knitting courses is smaller toward both edges, so as to take up turning course of the left front collar knitting portion 6A and right front collar knitting portion 6B.

After all courses of the left front collar knitting portion 6A, right front collar knitting portion 6B, and back collar knitting portion 7 have been completed, the knitting loops of the upper edge of the left front collar knitting portion 6A, right front collar knitting portion 6B, and back collar knitting portion 7 (line J-M-Q-q-m-j) are continuously cast off, thereby completing knitting of the collar, and thus the sweater 1 having the front collar shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is completed.

As described above, with the knitwear according to the first embodiment, at the time of knitting the one left front collar knitting portion 6A, the other right front collar knitting portion 6B is moved to empty needles so as to not interfere with the knitting of the left front collar knitting portion 6A, whereby the left front collar knitting portion 6A is knit, and the final course of the knit left front collar knitting portion 6A is cast off at a position so as to not overlap with the final course at the time of knitting the other right front collar knitting portion 6B, whereby the other right front collar knitting portion 6B can be knit without interruption.

Consequently, there is no need for a process for assembling a collar to the neckline of the torso by sewing even in the case of a large front collar, and the knitwear can be completed by knitting alone, so the number of processes until completion of the knitwear is not great, and reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.

Moreover, with the design of the knitwear according to the first embodiment, the shoulder portion 62 of the breast 2 a is formed of a part of the front collar knitting portion 6 so as to have a shoulder line 62, so a new design with large front collars folded back can be made, which is highly fashionable.

Moreover, regardless of the design having large folded-back front collars 63 and a back collar connected thereto, the collar can be assembled to the torso without sewing.

Also, with the first embodiment described above, the back collar knitting portion 7 was formed on the back 2 b, but an arrangement may be made wherein no back collar knitting portion is formed on the back 2 b, as with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

With the knitting method of the sweater 1 according to the second embodiment, in the knitting process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 an alteration is made such that, following knitting to the position of the line G-F of the left front collar knitting portion 6A all are cast off up to line G-F except for the shoulder line portion 62 of the line E-G, and following knitting to the position of the line g-f of the right front collar knitting portion 6B all are cast off up to line g-f except for the shoulder line portion 62 of the line e-g, and the shoulder line portion 62 and the shoulder line portion 21 are assembled while knitting from the position of the line K-k of the back 2 b to the position of the line L-l, and the knitted loops of the line L-l of the back 2 b are cast off, thereby completing knitting of the knitwear.

The knitwear according to the second embodiment has a collar formed only on the breast 2 a, the shoulder portion of the breast 2 a is formed of a part of the front collar knitting portion 6 so as to have a shoulder line 62, so a new design can be made even with a collar knitting portion 63 with large front collars folded back, which is highly fashionable.

With types wherein the collar is formed only on the back 2 a as with the second embodiment, an arrangement maybe made wherein the breast knitting portion 5 of the breast and the front collar knitting portion 6 are knitted alone, and assembled with the back.

Also, while described has been made with the first embodiment and second embodiment of an arrangement wherein the shoulder portions of the breast 2 a are formed of the front collar knitting portion 6, and shoulder line portions 62 formed of the front collar knitting portion 6, an arrangement may be made as illustrated with a third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, wherein the shoulder portion and shoulder line portion 53 are formed with the breast knitting portion 50 without forming the shoulder portion and shoulder line portion of the torso with the front collar knitting portion 60.

The sweater 10 knit with the third embodiment is also a long-sleeve type sweater with large front collars which are folded back. As shown in the knitting procedure diagram of FIG. 8, the sweater 10 according to the present embodiment is knit so that the height from the hem of the breast 2 a to the assembly portion with the sleeve at the shoulder (number of courses) and the height from the hem of the back 2 b to the assembly portion with the sleeve at the shoulder (number of courses) is the same.

Further, the sweater 10 has the breast 2 a formed only of a breast knitting portion 50 having a front neckline 41 a and shoulder line portion 53, with the front neckline 41 a formed in a V-shape.

The front collar knitting portion 60 has a front collar portion 63 a assembled to the front neckline 41 a of the breast knitting portion 50, thereby configuring a front collar folded up wide of the front collar portion 63 a.

The shoulder line portion 53 of the breast knitting portion 50 and the shoulder line portion 21 of the back 2 b are then assembled, thereby forming a back collar knitting portion 70 wherein the front collar knitting portion 60 is continuously knit to the back 2 b.

The sweater 10 has the points A and a of the breast 2 a to serve as the underarm portions and the points P and p of the left sleeve front portion 3 a and the right sleeve front portion 13 a assembled, and the points H, h of the back 2 b with the points S, s of the left sleeve front portion 3 b and the right sleeve front portion 13 b.

The breast 2 a and the left sleeve front portion 3 a and right sleeve front portion 13 a are then assembled along the armhole 22, and the back 2 b and the left sleeve rear portion 3 b and right sleeve rear portion 13 b are assembled.

The breast knitting portion 50 making up the breast 2 a has a shape different from at of the back 2 b from the points B and b on from which formation of the front neckline 41 a starts, and as shown in FIG. 8 is knitted divided into a left breast 501 and right breast 502.

Note that the assembly of the torso 2 a and 2 b and the left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 is the same knitting method as that in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the knitting procedures of the sweater 10 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The knitting procedure diagram shown in FIG. 8 also illustrates the knitting procedures for sequentially knitting from the bottom toward the top in the drawing.

The knitting procedures up to the underarm portion (points A, P, a, p, S, H, s, and h in FIG. 2) are the same as those of the first embodiment with the sweater 10 according to the third embodiment as well, so description thereof will be omitted.

The torso 2 and left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 are assembled at the underarm portion so as to form a single cylindrical article, the breast knitting portion 50 is knit divided into the left breast 501 and right breast 502 by turning course, while also knitting the back 2 b and left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13.

Upon the left breast 501 and right breast 502 of the breast knitting portion 50 being knitted to the position of the points C and c, and the back 2 b being knitted to the position of the line K-k, assembly of the torso 2 and the left sleeve 3 and right sleeve 13 is completed.

Then, knitting turning course from the position of the points C, c of the breast knitting portion 50 to the position of the points G, g, and knitting turning course from the position of the points K, k of the back 2 b to the position of the points L, 1, the shoulder line portion 53 is formed to the breast knitting portion 50, and the shoulder line portion 21 is formed on the back 2 b. Further, the shoulder line portion 53 and shoulder line portion 21 are assembled while knitting the breast knitting portion 50 and the back 2 b.

Due to the knitting so far, formation of the neckline 40 to the breast knitting portion 50 and back 2 b is completed, the breast knitting portion 50 and the back 2 b are seamlessly cylindrically continuously knit, with assembly of the sleeves 3 and 13 to the torso 2 also being completed, the knitted loops of the front neckline 41 a of the breast knitting portion 50 being retained at the front needle bed, and the knitted loops of the back neckline 42 a of the back 2 b being retained at the back needle bed.

Next, a left front collar knitting portion 60A is continuously knit (line D-E) on the front neckline 41 a of the left breast 501 (line B-G).

At this time, the knitted loops of the front neckline 41 a on the right breast 502 (line b-g) are moved to empty needles so as to not obstruct the knitting of the left front collar knitting portion 60A formed on the other front neckline 41 a. With the present embodiment, the knitted loops of front the neckline 41 a on the right breast 502 (line b-c) are transferred to empty needles of the front needle bed facing the even-numbered needles of the back needle bed retaining the knitted loops of the back.

Note that with the present embodiment as well, in the event of using the flat knitting frame having the holding device described in the Patent Publication of Japanese Patent No. 2,995,464, the knitted loops of the front neckline 41 a on the right breast 502 (line b-c) can be held by the slider of compound needles retaining the knitted loops of the back on the back needle bed.

Then, the left front collar knitting portion 60A is knit onto the front neckline 41 a of the left breast 501 (line B-G) while increasing stitches at the torso center side, turning course so as to reduce the number of wales at the right side (shoulder side edge portion), up to the point F.

Then the left front collar knitting portion 60A is cast off to line F-J, and the knitted loops on line F-J are removed from the needles of the needle bed from the center side of the torso of the left front collar knitting portion 60A.

The knitted loops of line F-J of the left front collar knitting portion 60A are cast off to a position so as to not overlap the predetermined course of the right front collar knitting portion 60B, to prevent interference with the knitting of the right front collar knitting portion 60B to be knit next.

Next, the right front collar knitting portion 60B is continuously knit (line d-e) on the front neckline 4 a 1 of the right breast 502 (line b-g).

The right front collar knitting portion 60B is then consecutively knit (line d-e) to the front neckline 41 a of the right breast 502 (line b-g) while turning course to reduce the number of wales of the left side (shoulder side edge portion) while increasing stitches at the torso center side, up to the point f.

Then the right front collar knitting portion 60B is cast off to line f-j, and the knitted loops on line f-j are removed from the needles of the needle bed from the center side of the torso of the right front collar knitting portion 60B.

The same number of knitting loops on line f-j of the right front collar knitting portion 60B are cast off as the number of knitting loops cast off for the left front collar knitting portion 60A.

Then, the knitted loops of the back neckline 42 a of the back 2 b (line L-l) are retained to the back needle bed, and the knitted loops of the left front collar knitting portion 60A (line G-J) and the right front collar knitting portion 60B (line g-j) are retained to the front needle bed.

Next, repeating in the order of the right front collar knitting portion 60B, back collar knitting portion 70, left front collar knitting portion 60A, back collar knitting portion 70, and the right front collar knitting portion 60B, the knitting method called C-knitting is performed on the three components wherein the same path is traced while moving reciprocally, changing the direction of progression of the yarn supply openings at both edges which are the boundary of each of the components.

Thus, continuous knitting is realized for the left front collar knitting portion 60A from the position of the line G-J to the point M, for the right front collar knitting portion 60B from the position of the line g-j to the point m, and for the back collar knitting portion 70 from the position of the line N-n to the position of the line Q-q.

At this time, the left front collar knitting portion 60A and right front collar knitting portion 60B are knit such that the number of knitting courses at the torso center side for each wale increases towards at least the outer edges (line J-M, line j-m).

Note that while with the present embodiment, knitting is performed so that the number of knitting courses for the back collar knitting portion 70 are the same at all portions, the back collar knitting portion 70 may be knit so that the number of knitting courses is smaller toward both edges, so as to take up turning course of the left front collar knitting portion 60A and right front collar knitting portion 60B.

After the predetermined number of courses of the left front collar knitting portion 60A, right front collar knitting portion 60B, and back collar knitting portion 70 have been completed, the knitting loops of the upper edge of the left front collar knitting portion 60A, right front collar knitting portion 60B, and back collar knitting portion 70 (line J-M-Q-q-m-j) are continuously cast off, thereby completing knitting, and thus the sweater 10 having the front collar shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is completed.

As described above, with the knitwear according to the third embodiment as well, there is no need for a process for assembling a collar to the neckline of the torso by sewing, and the knitwear can be completed by knitting alone, so the number of processes until completion of the knitwear is not great, and reduction in manufacturing costs can be realized.

Also, the knitting method according to the present invention is not restricted to the front collar shape shown in the embodiments, and any type can be dealt with as long as there is a front collar opened by folding back.

Further, the present invention is not restricted to sweaters, and can be applied to cardigans, and further can be applied to sweaters without sleeves, vests, and so forth. 

1. A knitting method for knitwear, using a flat knitting frame having at least a pair of front and back needle beds extending to the left and right direction and facing each other in the front and back direction, with at least one of the front and back needle beds being capable of sideways racking, and capable of loop transfer of knitted loops between the front and back needle beds, wherein a front collar is formed in which the left front collar and right front collar are formed on the neckline of the breast, with a form such that each of these front collars pass the center of said breast and intrude to the side of the other front collar, said method including the following steps for knitting after starting formation of the neckline: 1) a first step for knitting, dividing said breast into a right breast and left breast from the front neckline formation portion, and forming the front neckline portions of the right breast and left breast by turning course; 2) a second step wherein knitted loops of either the left or right front neckline bordering at the center of the breast are moved to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting of the front collar portions being formed at the other front neckline, following which at the other neckline a predetermined course is knit such that the front collar knitting portion is formed so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast to intrude to the front collar portion of the other side respectively, and knitted loops positioned at a region of knitting needles to be used for knitting the one front collar knitting portion are cast off; and 3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops that have been transferred to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting to the original needles in said second step, the remaining one front collar knitting portion is formed so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast from the neckline to intrude to the front collar portion of the other side.
 2. A knitting method for knitwear having a front collar according to claim 1, wherein the breast and back making up the knitwear are knit in a seamless continuous cylindrical form, said method including the following steps: 1) a first step for knitting, dividing said breast into a right breast and left breast from the front neckline formation portion, and forming the front neckline portion of the front right breast and the front neckline portion of the front left breast to the edge of the shoulder neckline, and also knitting the back; 2) a second step for moving knitted loops of one or the other of the front neckline of the right breast and left breast knit in the first step to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting of the front collar knitting portion to be formed on the other neckline, knitting a front color knitting portion on the other neckline so as to form a front collar of a form passing the center of the breast and intruding to the other front color side respectively, moving said front collar knitting portion to the front collar knitting portion on the other side each time a predetermined course is knit of the front collar knitting portion, and repeating knitting for forming new knitted loops on empty needles on the neckline side by this moving so as to form a shoulder line portion to the armhole, and following completion of formation of the shoulder line portion to the front collar knitting portion, casting off the knitted loops within the region of the knitting needles used for knitting at least the remaining other front collar knitting portion at the front collar knitting portion; 3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops that have been transferred to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting in said second step to the original needles, the other one front collar knitting portion is formed so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast from the remaining front neckline to intrude to the front collar portion of the other side, moving said front collar knitting portion to the front collar knitting portion on the other side each time a predetermined course is knit of the front collar knitting portion, and repeating knitting for forming new knitted loops on empty needles on the neckline side by this moving so as to form a shoulder line portion to the armhole, and following completion of formation of the shoulder line portion to the front collar knitting portion, casting off knitted loops of an equal number to those cast off in said second step from the breast center side; 4) a fourth step for turning course such that the number of knitting courses becomes smaller each wale the closer to each edge of the back, thereby forming a shoulder line portion on the back, following which the shoulder line portions of the left and right front collar knitting portions are assembled to the shoulder line portion of the back; 5) a fifth step for feeding yarn to the back and the front collar knitting portion not cast off, thereby knitting a collar wherein the left and right front collar knitting portions and the back color knitting portion are continuous; and 6) a sixth step for casting off the knitted loops of the left and right front collar knitting portions and the back collar knitting portion retained by the needle beds.
 3. A knitting method for knitwear having a front collar according to claim 1, wherein the breast and back making up the knitwear are knit in a seamless continuous cylindrical form, said method including the following steps: 1) a first step for knitting, dividing said breast into a right breast and left breast from the front neckline formation portion, and forming the front neckline portions of the right breast and left breast by turning course, and forming shoulder line portions on the left and right breasts and the back by turning course, and assembling the shoulder line portions of the breast and back; 2) a second step for moving knitted loops of one or the other of the neckline of the right breast and left breast knit in the first step to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting of the front collar knitting portion to the other neckline, following which the front collar portion is knit a predetermined course to the other neckline so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast to intrude to the front collar portion of the other side, and knitted loops positioned at a region of knitting needles to be used for knitting at least the remaining the one front collar knitting portion in said front collar knitting portion are cast off; 3) a third step wherein, following returning the knitted loops that have been transferred to empty needles which do not obstruct the knitting in said second step to the original needles, and knitting a predetermined course for the other one front collar knitting portion so as to form a front collar which passes the center of the breast from the remaining front neckline to intrude to the front collar portion of the other side, following which knitted loops of an equal number to those cast off in said second step are cast off from the breast center side; 4) a fourth step for subjecting the back and the front collar knitting portion not cast off to C-knitting wherein the yarn feeding direction is reversed at both edges thereof so as to knit a collar wherein the left and right front color knitting portions and the back collar knitting portion are continuous; and 5) a fifth step for casting off the knitted loops of the left and right front collar knitting portions and the back collar knitting portion retained by the needle beds.
 4. Knitwear having a front collar, wherein the breast and back are seamlessly cylindrically knit, and wherein the breast is configured of a breast knitting portion having a front neckline and a part of a front collar knitting portion assembled to the front neckline, and wherein the front collar knitting portion has a shoulder line portion where a breast shoulder portion and back are assembled and a front collar portion opened by folding back, and wherein a back collar knitting portion formed to the back neckline of the back and the front collar knitting portion are knitted continuously, and wherein the front collar knitting portion is formed of a left front collar and right front collar to the neckline of the breast with the front collar knitting portion and back collar knitting portion being seamlessly assembled to the torso, and wherein the front collars are of a shape so as to pass the center of the breast to intrude into the other front collar side. 